Stuff

Yesterday when I came home from work the living room looked like this!K and J are home for a few days, and on this day J had decided to go through his stuff. At my request they both go through their storage boxes every couple of years. They find that some saved objects have retained their value over time, while other things that were previously meaningful have less importance now. As K and J get older, they look at lots of things more critically and objectively, and stuff is one of them.

It is a lot of work, going through stuff. It is helpful to have someone to help out.Someone else can ask tough questions that we tend to avoid asking ourselves, like Do you think you’d want to read/wear/look at that again?Finding the answer takes time, space, and patience……as each item is individually remembered and evaluated.And compared. And found a place for.And when that is done, you dig out another object to make a decision about.J sorted through many books.Tons of books!And…more books.It reminded me of Harry Potter.There were also clothes.Some t-shirts with great memories.Found art.Here is something J wore many summers when he worked as a lifeguard at Wilson Pool.God bless John Wayne and a family photo from 1993.Hmm – what to do with a lamp such as this one?Goodwill will love it! The things J decided to save were carefully packed away.For another couple years or so.The recycling bin is full, and Goodwill is happy. The house feels spacious and lighter. And each storage bin is full of great stuff. Well done, J.